Question for MW

buddha12 · #1 05-20-2008, 06:49 PM

Hey MW. Like many of the people around this forum, I've checked out the youtube vids of your chord melodies, seen your transcriptions, etc. It seems to me that you're an accomplished solo guitarist. I'm curious as to how you achieved that level of proficiency. Can you fill us in on your developmental process? How did you fill in that gap between a novice guitarist to that of a solo musician? Did you ever have any breakthrough moments where a bit of information lead to substantial progress? Sorry for the long questions, but I think your answers can help me, and many other musicians gain perspective on what they're doing right now. Thanks for your answers.

m78w · #2 05-20-2008, 10:38 PM

Hey Buddha,
No problem, the really short answer is that I have worked really hard and am lucky enough to have a bit of natural tallent to go with my work ethic. I started playing piano at age 4 so I could read music before I could read letters, which really helped when I started playing guitar.

When I was first getting into jazz I was really into Wes and those guys, I was practicing a ton, about 10-12 hours a day for almost 3 years straight. That really got my fingers and ears in shape, and just spending that much time with my guitar in my hands brought to light a lot of the physical elements of the instrument. After that I had a 3 year period where I gigged 4-5 nights a week, which really got me into shape, helped me learn a ton of tunes, and allowed me to apply all of the items I had been practicing to a practical situation.

Though I learned a lot of material when I was shedding that much, what I really learned was how to practice efficiently. Now a days I can get much more out of 30 minutes practicing than I used to in 10 hours. I'm much more focused and know how to address my weaknesses and develop exercises that fix those problem areas.

I really only started working on Solo guitar when I was doing my masters degree. I decided that for the two years I was in Michigan I was going to do nothing but play solo guitar. So I practiced playing solo, did a whole bunch of solo arrangements, transcribed Ben Monder, Gene Bertoncini, Lenny Breau, Ed Bickert, Joe Pass etc. But what really helped me out was a weekly solo gig and a weekly gig with a singer just duo. That's where I really learned to apply all of the solo concepts I was learning in the woodshed. By trying things out on stage every week I was able to quickly figure out which things worked and which things didn't. That way I didn't waste any time in the practice room, I was constantly putting a giant mirror in front of myself and forcing myself to only practice/work on the things I was weak at.

Now I gig regularly, I practice 3-5 hours everyday, and I jam/rehearse 20 or so hours a week, which really helps me stay in shape. I've been focusing more on single lines and trio playing recently, but I have a feeling I'm due for a long period of solo guitar again soon. I am always working on my time/feel, it's something I always want to get better at, and am working on substitutions and learning new tunes. That seems to be where my head is at these days.

Hope that answered your question.
MW

mazza24 · #3 05-21-2008, 12:56 AM

WOW, buddha12 necessary the question for MW.
I'm now mortified for my sparse practice. So I must now have look for more to practice guitar.
Thank very much. (big grin)

Goofsus4 · #4 05-21-2008, 11:55 AM

Great question and great response.

This is exactly the honest assessments that folks who are still developing their skills need to hear more from accomplished players.

Everyone wants some magic bullet. There isn't one.

Sure, there is always some prodigy that can pick up an instrument and "play by ear" and all that. But for most people, mastering a musical instrument means dedication and perserverance.

derek · #5 05-21-2008, 12:04 PM

This topic comes up every few months. There is the typical statement that goes something like, "I will never be as good as X, because he is so talented." My response always is, put in the same amount of time on the instrument, and let's see.

I have posted a link to a study several times here that states it takes about 10,000 hours of focused practice to really master an instrument. How many have the desire and discipline to do so? Talent does play a part, but not as much as hard work imo.

Bad news is, us older guys who have jobs and families don't have the large blocks of time like the younger guys. There must be a moral in there somewhere.

Goofsus4 · #6 05-21-2008, 12:08 PM

The good news is that you can make nice sounding music at every stage of the journey. That's what people should strive for above all else.

m78w · #7 05-21-2008, 12:11 PM

I agree, I once read that Charlie Parker didn't feel like he sounded good until he put in around 15,000 hours of practicing. I felt about the same. It seems like there are "clicking moments", where after hundreds of hours of practicing and not feeling any improvement that one day things just come together and everything "clicks".

Music is like anything else, it's all about hard work, and about working hard on the right things. Most people practice what they are good at because it's easy and fun, but I find that the people who really excel at this stuff are the ones who can identify their problem areas and focus their practicing on fixing those problems.

MW